Russian boy injured in Thailand ferry accident dies

Rescue operations after Thai ferry accident. AP/Daily News

BANGKOK, November 7 (Itar-Tass) - The 12-year-old Russian boy injured in a deadly ferry accident in Thailand on Sunday died at a hospital of Siracha, Thailand, on Thursday without regaining consciousness, sources from the consular department of the Russian Embassy to Thailand told Tass.

Medics say the boy had been brought to hospital already in a critical condition. For several days medics had managed to keep alive the child in a coma. His mother, also injured in the accident, is in the same hospital. The woman was operated and her life is not in danger.

The passenger ferry capsized last Sunday about 500 meters off Koh Larn on its way from the island to Pattaya, situated eight kilometers away from it. According to police, it was operating over its capacity. Law enforcement agencies said the captain had taken alcohol shortly before the ferry left the port. According to the captain, the ferry hit a sunken rock 15 minutes after it had sailed off. Divers examining the sunken ship confirmed the hold had been ruptured.

The lower part of the ferry began filling with water and people on the first deck rushed to the second floor, causing the ferry to flip on its side and eventually sink.

Thai police said six bodies had been found at the site of the accident.